Quick release mechanism for parachute harnesses



QUICK RELEASE MECHANISM FOR PARACHUTE 'HARNESSES Filed July 22, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 4 lllllll Q4, mmvroa mwmw v Feb. 1 5, 1949- F. J. SULLIVAN 2,461,785

QUICK RELEASE MECHANISM FOR PARACHUTE HARNES SES Filed July 22, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2- M 4 BY Patented Feb. 15, 1949 Ii y I QUICKR'EEEASE Partisan- E HARNESSE,

FranlrJ Su11ivan, shkosh lwis implication-Jilly 22 ,"--1944,*S rial 1\hi. 546,155?

Claims. (01. 2473) invention: relates to improvements linzquickiw same-reference 'charaeters indicate*thhsame par-teev release mechanisrm for vparachute harness. in all of the views?" I Afifgeneral object of the invention is to provide" Fig?- 1 is afl-ont View of 'theimproved quickie"- an iznpiovedbaraohute harness clasp' susceptible 2 lease i parachute-harness 1 mechanism 'in "its as-i oi quick releaseandlseparation for the attainment 5 semble'd' and-ldcked-oondition;-= of liistantaneous disengagement'of the'parachute harness from the-wearere A paraohutist is bodily Flg I engageddiy a h'a'rness rte-suspend: the wearer from 7 3 is lai'sid view of the complementary'plates" the pasachuteo Wli'en the parachutist reaches 1 of 'tlr-le quick *rele'a'se'- meehiatnism -separatedfifrom the end of liisdescent; he=mustbe *able to quickly one anotliei and with the l ocking-=mechanismin I ridihiiiiselfiof the harness andthe-attachedpara-' its releasirigspositidn'y r howing in chuteeso 'that he will notbe draggedby the paras: Fig. -4 isisa facewiewofffie outer plate of the chute or becoine foule'd thereim mechanismg- I theabove irinminddit is;- therefore; an 'Fi'ggfi is aa'fajce viewmf the 'inner'plate ofthes objsct omm inventions'twprovide an:".-1mproved;." mcehaniszn;;:.

pamohiite harn'ess clasp-which; through a simple 1 Fig. 6"is 'an enlarged fragmentary detailedsec manual manipulatiomrof the wearer; may-"be tional {v vithrgo huthee mechanismf in its. quick-1S relssewto separate the harness from thei I sembled 'conditidn taken on -lii'ie-*6'-'-6 f fFirg wearer. and to -quickly' dive'st r the wearer of this;i only with theplunger button turned to u g c PB i Q 1 posit'idm q 1 A'i furth' 1' object or" the-inventionis to" provide Fig}- !7 r g Jan enlarged itopn-lvivr-J f sthicanapn a pairachute' harness clasp which cannot become carrying sleeve o'f the-m a sm;

fouled or be rendered inoperative by'the entrancer Fig; 8 isan enlarged-sideview of me locking; ofifs'and; difiwgrit' orsfdreign m'atte'rg key portidn of themechanism and 'A fuiztlier objectiof the' inventionis to:provide'v 5 Fig". 9i's'ia view of ithe-quiok' release mechanisma simple} quickly releasable parachute harness; engaging a 'pai achute harness asfiri7userclasp'gi comprising iaplate, carrying one IStIapYiOf Re err ng more particularly to the drawings; a harness, and fa; complmentaryplate; carryingiz themumeral' l'o designates an inner plate-and the another strapzofathe harness; withra simple ldc numerak lfl, arr-outerplate. Tli'e outer plate-I I has ingidevicerelea'sably: holding"said-platesdzogetherx -an 'inwardly ofist portion *I 2 connected to the Atfurtl lersobject ofixthe :inventionzisrtozprouide-i main portion of the plate by=angu1ar sections a quickly'releasablelparachutez-harnessxclasp proe- B and-H35. vided withzndjustable means positionable to ipr Referring more particularl-y to Fig: 5, the lower vent; :the. releasexof the. clasp at such times as theFv. plate l II mas an obliquely extending "eye opening waa'rerrmay; nottz require zquicls; removalziof; thene e I4$fo'1-"-receiVing-=-the lower end'of-a harness strap,-;

harnessgrand asazsafeguard[againstundesiredsaoe'eI mm e outer plat ll hast; similareye' 'opening g; cidental release of etherclasp;:aszthrougbbampingw I5,-"' which} extends* obliquely in'theopposite direc-'- onfitrikingihe samez tidn fo'r receiving-another end of- 'the harness A iurther :object of -the:invention is tozprovide strap. The plate I0 is also formed with a keyhole a izquicklwreleasable parachute harness"; clasp;v r I 63 with ;a short, outwardly projecting, tapered whichxwhenit is'rreleasedand disenga'ges the hars pin-I1 3 with a-l'onger outwardly projecting-tapered nessrifi'omr thezxwearer; 1 is estilllzattached to theaz pin -IB, and with ahol'ei-IIL The bore of mellow hamesslior ar'subsequentvusezc y I I9 is tapered inwardlyq The'outer plate *1 I has Azsfurthe'r aobject-iof tthe'inventiomis'to provider: a centrally ldcated hole 2U formed"withradially" a quickly; realeasableaparaohuterzhamess-;clasp,: 5 projctirig 'communioating slots 2I.- The outer which islsimple and; inexpensivelto 1 manufactures; plate is also formed holes 2 2 and' 23 ,"h whichiisi stronggsandz'durable,'v whlchris reasilyeand'r; tapered bores, tf or receivingthe 'proj'ec-tin'g pir'1's-'--'- quickly ,smanipulatedy; whichiris: foolproofli. ands 1 y I I and 18' of the-lower plate. Projecting-inwardly which is..=well adapte.d :for :the' purposes Idisclosed; from: ith'e' right *hand l'o'wer corner of the outer I wltli'ithe zabove ;and:other ;objects iirrzview 1121182 plateiisfa;:tapered-ipin- 24, which is cooperable with? imaentiom consists lofrthenimproved quick-'releasew the hole I9 0f the lower p r I mechanismidor :tparachutei:harness,aandsfitsxpartsi 2' A -kby;i-0rl:detachab1yfl h wmp t' s t and combinations as setrfoit th in the elaimsiandll gather :is shownfiirr zdetail in Fig: 8 and is desig allilequiuailentsthereofizzcznatedrgeneraillk therein: b'y 'th'e a numeral: 15. '5 It? Initlie t accmnpanyingrzdmwingseimawhich themes? consistszzofia tubulanrshanksportlon: 25havmgmel 3 key head 26 on its lower end. When the key head 26 is turned in the same direction as the extent of the keyhole l6, the head may be withdrawn through the hole. On the other hand, when the key head is in the position of Fig. 2, the two plates are locked together, as shown in said figure.

The outer end portion of the tubular shank 25 of the key-extends through the opening of the outer plate, and there is an annular shoulder 21 on the shank which engages the lower face of the outer plate II. The outer end of the shank 25 is externally threaded, as at 28, for cooperation with a handle member 29, said handle having a threaded bore 36 for cooperation with the threading 28 of the shank. Bolts 3|, extending'transversely through the handle member, cooperate with threadless portions 32 of the shank to positively lock the handle in position.

Projecting outwardly beyond the threaded por- L roundingthe tubular extension 38.0f the button is a sleeve 46, having its lower edge flanged inwardly, as at 4|, below the lower edge of the tubular extension 38 of the button. The inwardly fiangedlower edge 4! of said sleeve 40 has oppositely disposed projections 42 (see Fig. 7) which are cooperable with recesses 43 in the lower end of. the button extension 38 tohold-the sleeve 40 in-adesired position of rotation around the tubular extension 38.

. The upper portion of the bore of theshank 25. is ofenlarged diameter, as at 44 and there is an annular shoulder 44 at the beginning 'of the enlarged diameter. This shoulder forms a seat for a washer 45, and the latter supports the lower end of a coiled spring 46. The upper end of the spring bears against a top washer 41. and in turn against the lower end of the sleeve 40. The upper end of the sleeve has a laterally pro-.- jecting partial collar 48, which, when the parts are in the position of Fig. 6, is positioned in longitudinal alinement with the outer. end of the stop 33 for a purpose to be hereinatfer described.

Intermediate the length of the shank portion 25 and on opposite sides of the bore of the shank are slots 49. A pin 50, which extends transversely through the plunger 35, has its ends projecting through and beyond the slots 490i the shank. The pin is press fitted in the plunger 35 so that it will not fall out. v

In the use of the device, the lower end 5| of one of the front harness straps is permanently connected to the eye M of the inner plate Ill. The

lower end 52 of the other front harness strap is permanently connected to the eye 15 of the outer plate (see Fig. 9). Also connected to the outer plate is the key and operating handle assembly. Harness strap portions 53 and 54, which pass from theback of the parachutist between the legs and upwardy in front, extend through oval rings 55 on the sides, and then toward each other at the front of the parachutist.

Clasp hooks 56 and 51 are permanently connected to the ends of the strap portions 53 and 54. These hooks have the usual yielding guard members 58, which prevent accidental disengage- 4 ment. The clasp 56 is eng-ageable with the lower corner pin l8 between the two plates, and the clasp 51 is engageable with the opposite lower corner pin 24 between the plates.

Referring to Fig. 2, when the parts are in the position shown in this figure, the quick release mechanism is locked, and the two plates I0, I I, are rigidly connected to each other by the key head 26.. When the flyer is in his equipment, ready'for a 'jump,-vthe partial knurled collar 48 is turned to the position of Fig. 2 so that inward pressure on the button 31 is limited by engagement of the collar 48 with the stop 33. The collar 48, and sleeve 40 connected thereto, are held in this position against accidental displacement by the engagement of the projections 42 on the lower end of the sleeve with the recesses 43 in the lower end of the tubular button extension 38.

-As the parachutist nears the ground, if he desires to get rid of his chute and harness quickly, the first operation is to turn the knurled'button 48 from, the position of Fig. 2 to the position of Fig. 3. Then by pushing inwardly on the button 31, against the tension of the spring 46, the plunger 35- is moved inwardly, and the ends of the pin 50 are pushed out of the radial extensions 2! of the hole 20 of the outer plate to the dot and dash line position of Fig.6. This then permits rotation. of the handle 29 from the position of Fig. 2 to the position of Fig. 3, while the button is being depressed. Such partial rotation of the handle will change the key head 26 from a position at right angles to the keyhole to the position shown in Fig. 3, where the key head can pass outwardly through the keyhole l6,.separating the inner and outer plates. Thisv separation causes immediate release of the clasps 56.;and v 57 and permits the outer plate I l to hang freely from; the end of the strap 52 and the inner plate II] to hang freely from the end of the strap 5|. Thepull of the'chute will then cause the clasps 55 and 51 to slip through the rings 55 so'that the entire harness is disengaged;

To reassemble the harness, the plates in-the separated condition of Fig. 3 are pushed together until the tapered pins enter the respective holes.

The plunger button 3;! is then-pressed inwardly against the tension of the spring 46, and the handle 48 is turnedback to the position of Fig. 2 to rotate the keyhead 26 to locking position. When pressure on the plunger button 31 is released, the spring will return the parts to theposition of Fig. 6, and the ends of the transverse pin 5|] will enter apair of radial slots 2| of'the outer plate opening. The sleeve 40 is then rotated approximately so that the knurled collaris not'bend when a pull is exerted. The arrange- Y ment is such .thatno sand, water or mud can prevent the operator from operating the release mechanism. As a special precaution, the slots 49 in thesides of the shank are enlarged below the transverse pin 56 and are formed with tapered bottoms 59 so that sand, gravel-or mud,

which might enter the slots, is readily. pushed out upon movement of the pin 50.

Various changes and modifications may be.

made without departing-fromthe spirit of the inthe quick vention, and all of such changes are contemplated as may come within the scope of the claims.

What is claimed as the invention is:

1. A parachute harness clasp, comprising a plate having attached thereto one strap of a body-engaging parachute harness, a complementary plate having attached thereto another strap of a body-engaging parachute harness, a headed key revolubly engaging both of the plates and securing the same together when in a turned po sition of adjustment, there being a slot in one of the plates through which the headed portion of the key may pass for separation of the plates when the key is in another turned position of adjustment and the other plate being formed with stop slots, a control member telescopically engaged with the key and yieldingly, axially movably associated therewith, and a pin carried transversely by the control member and engageable in the stop slots of said other plate for preventing turning movement of the key except upon a predetermined axial movement of the control member to disengage said pin from said stop slots.

2. A parachute harness clasp, comprising a plate having attached thereto one strap of a body-engaging parachute harness, a. complementary plate having attached thereto another strap of a body-engaging parachute harness, a headed key revolubly engaging both of the plates and securing the same together when in a turned position of adjustment, there being a slot in one of the plates through which the headed portion of the key may pass for separation of the plates when the key is in another turned position of adjustment, a control member telescopically engaged with the key and yieldingly, axially movably associated therewith, the control member and the other plate being formed with cooperating pin and stop means for preventing turning movement of the .key except upon a predetermined axial movement of the control member efiective to disengage said cooperating pin and stop means, and cooperating stop means associated with the control member and key adjustable to permit or prevent axial movement of the control member.

, plates at right angles tothe planes thereof, and

a locking member manipulatively carried by one plate and engaging the other plate and efiective,

in a certain position, to releasably lock said plates together.

4. A parachute harness clasp, comprising a plate having attached thereto one strap of a body-engaging parachute harness, a complementary'plate having attached thereto another strap of a body-engaging parachute harness, said plates being formed with complementary engaging tapered pins and sockets aiding in holding the plates together, a portion of one plate being off-set from the other plate and certain of said pins extending between the off-set portions of the platesat right angles to the planes thereof, portions of the last-mentioned pins between the plates being adapted to be engaged by hooked-extremities of other straps of a body-engaging parachute harness, and a locking member manipulatively carried by one plate and engaging the other plate and effective, in a certain position, to releasably lock said plates together.

5. A parachute harness clasp, comprising an inner plate having attached thereto one strap of a body-engaging parachute harness, a complementary outer plate having attached thereto another strap of a body-engaging parachute harness, said plates being formed with complementary engaging tapered pins and sockets aiding in holding the platestogether, a portion of one plate being off-set from the other plate and certain of said pins extending between the off-set portions of the plates at right angles to the planes thereof, portions of the last-mentioned pins between the plates being adapted to be engaged by hooked extremities of other straps of body-engaging parachute harness, a headed key revolubly engaging both of the plates and locking the same together when in a turned position of adjustment, there being a slot in the inner plate through which the headed portion of the key may pass for separation of the plates when the key is in another position of adjustment, a control member telescopically engaged with the key and yieldingly, axially movably associated therewith, and the control member and-said outer plate being formed with cooperating pin and stop means effective when engaged to prevent turning movement of the key except upon a predetermined axial movement of the control member bein effective to disengagesaid pin and stop means.

FRANK J. SULLIVAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,108,716 Kuhleman Feb. 15, 1938 2,305,572 Johnson -Dec. 15, 1942 

